Brighton city leaders bid farewell Thursday to a department director who began serving city residents when she was in high school.

Just before council went into closed session, City Manager Nate Geinzer asked for a pause to thank Jennifer Burke, the city's outgoing human resources director and deputy city clerk, for her 20 years of service to the city. The council applauded Burke. Her last day was Friday.

"She's really been a great person to help me figure out some of the nuances and work with you guys," Geinzer said.

Burke is leaving the city to join Corrigan Oil, where former city manager Dana Foster now works. She is the third department head to leave the city since Foster retired in December after nearly 25 years. Burke, 37, would have received a retirement pension if she had stayed 10 more years.

Former City Clerk Diane Lowe retired in March after 26 years with the city, and former Finance Director Kelly Hanna retired in April after 25 years in City Hall. Council members appointed Pam Stewart to the clerk's position earlier this month and hired Geinzer and current Finance Director Gretchen Gomolka in February.

Burke was a Brighton High School junior when she accepted a $6-an-hour, part-time internship with the city in 1996. Over the years, she moved on to Department of Public Works dispatch clerk, community development administrative assistant, management and development services manager, and management assistant before becoming human resources director and deputy city clerk in 2009.

Until Friday, Burke had earned $87,993 a year or about $42.30 an hour. Her husband, Ryan, is an attorney adviser with the Michigan Army National Guard's General Counsel's Office. The Burkes have three children, with the youngest just 8 months old.

"The past 20 years have been a rewarding experience," Burke said. "I am honored and humbled that I was given such an opportunity.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and the city of Brighton employees," she added. "This time in my life right now is a good time to transition into something that better fits me and my family."

Geinzer saw no connection between the three departures and Foster's retirement.

"Each individual had their own and different reasons and opportunities that led to their departure," he said Friday. "All four of these individuals gave over 20 years of distinguished service to the community, for which City Council and I are grateful for."

In other news, council members approved a 2 percent wage increase for the city's 11 patrol officers and nearly $90,000 for street maintenance. Council members also asked residents to call the city if sidewalks in their neighborhoods needed repair.

The patrol officers received the wage increase, called a wage reopener, nearly a year before they begin negotiating a new labor contract. The starting rate for new police officers is $47,459. An officer could earn $64,682 or more after 10 years.

"Whenever you take an issue out of play by a voluntary agreement, it's good for both parties," city labor attorney Dennis Gabrian said.

The council meets again Aug. 4.

Contact Livingston Daily business reporter Noe Hernandez at 517-552-2854 or nhernandez@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @sayyesnoe.